Ex-editor of Missoulian sues paper, owner for forced resignation

HELENA, Mont. – The former editor of the Missoulian is suing the newspaper’s publisher and its owner, Lee Enterprises Inc., for wrongful discharge.

Sherry Devlin’s lawsuit says she was demoted in April 2015, her pay was cut in half and her work conditions were made so intolerable that she was forced to resign in November 2015. She had worked for the Missoulian nearly 30 years.

The lawsuit, filed Friday, said Devlin was performing her job satisfactorily when new publisher Mark Heintzelman suggested in September 2014 that they start working on her “exit strategy.”

Her lawsuit said she wanted to continue to work at the paper and sought suggestions for improvement, but received no feedback.

Missoulian Editor Matt Bunk did not respond to an email from the Associated Press on Wednesday seeking comment.